Betrayed and Abandoned

Hello to the reader of this book titled Betrayed and Abandoned. I will not take any credit for the title of this book. One day, the Lord and of my heart asked if I was going to come through this strange trial. He asked me to get on my knees and start praying day and night. Then I felt he was telling me that he wanted me to go through a fast every day for the rest of my life. Later on, I found out why he wanted me to pray and fast. He reminded me of a story in the Bible when the disciples came to him and said, "Why couldn't we set this man free from that demonic strong hold in his life?" and Jesus responded that some of the spirits can only be dealt with through fasting and praying.I was reminded that I was not dealing with things in the flesh, but I was dealing with evil principalities and darkness in the spiritual realm. This was a major spiritual battle that I was in, so I took on a life of praying morning, midday, and sometimes all night. My fasting included eliminating dinner and sometimes breakfast, only having one midday meal. I know why I was asked to do this because food had become a stronghold in my life since Christians are not supposed to be drinking, smoking drugs, and chasing women, so we take on eating excessive foods, we become foodies, and we become food alcoholics.I did not realize I was drowning my sadness, depression, oppression, all circumstances of not being happy with food. Due to the sad relationship with my wife. During that time, gained a lot of weight, which made me sick and had four heart attacks. One of those being a triple bypass. Open-heart surgery is not fun, so God wanted to help me deal with that stronghold in my life, and he did. He raised me from my deathbed several times. He healed me from overeating and obesity during all those hours in prayer and fasting. God impressed in my heart to write this book. Yeah, I cannot believe it either. Isn't that funny?God is asking a heavy equipment operator and worship leader to write a book. I know I don't even believe it myself. Isn't that crazy? He uses the craziest people and things to confound the wise then one day in prayer. I asked the Lord, "Well, I guess I will step out on faith and believe that you were speaking to me," and I asked him, "So what is the title of the book going to be? I need to know the title clearly put in my mind and heart." The title is going to be Betrayed and Abandoned.I said, "Okay, I will go with that." Funny, funny, funny that God would use me and something I have never imagined or even thought of. I still laugh to this day and chuckle at the thought. That's how God came up with the title. To God be all glory!

-- Frank Pereda